The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-09-15
THE OUTLAWS
Arrest of Man Who Confesses
to Being IN the McNeill
Robbery.
A Completely Round Boot-heel
Gave Him Away Highly
Interesting Events.
Special Telegram to the Statesman

NpPsihl Telegram 10 luS Slttoon4hIis
SAN ANTONIO, September 12.-"We've
trapped the birds this time, dead sure"
said Constable Ed. Stevens, this morning.
and Deputy United States Marshal Bailes
standing by, corroborated the emphatic
assertion. These two officers left the city
on Friday last, their destination
being Medina City, in Bandera
county. Prior 80 reaching this place
they were joined by Sheriff Buck Hamil-
ton. From Medina City they went in
westerly direction about two miles to the
house of man named John Oresswell,
reaching there about daybreak Saturday
morning. Sheriff Hamilton knocked at
the door, and, calling Cresswen by name,
told him to come out. Cresswell
quickly answered the summonsa, and,
taking Buck Hamilton for friend named
DR.. johnson, shook him by the hand.
He started back when he was informed he
was prisoner. He made no attempt,
however, tor Bales was on one side and
Stevens on the other, ready for an
emergency. He was allowed to put on
his hat and boots. Handouts were then
placed ON mis- wrists, and the party re-
turned to Medina City with their pri-
soner, and from there to San Antonio, ar
rlving here, as before stated, this morn
ing, lodging Cresswell in ths county
Jail. The affidavit by Battles
against Oresswell, charges him
with train robbery on the 18th of July.
The atddavithas not been made at random.
The criminal evidence against Oresswell
vas received some time back, when Battles
and Stevens left very suddenly for two
days. The result of the journey was the
landing Of two prisoners in Jail. The
name of one of these is Sam
Jones, but the publication of the
name of the other is reserved.
1t is sufficient TO say he is q well-known
character, and has made himself conspic-
ioas by turning states evidence on several
occasions when he was concerned in stage
robberies. BY diplomacy, this gentleman
has been made to confess he took an active
part in those McNeill and Flatonia tram
robberies.
He has long, sandy moustache and chin
beard, The face is one in which cunning
predominates and his steel-blue eyes
sparkle with shrewdness. Cresswell had
or a large, white blue shirt and well-worn
boots, the heels of which are perfectly
round. This last item might appear to be
u trlVldl nbtCef, were 70 NpI lOI bu6 IhCb
that it was noticed that among the foot
tracks made by the robbers, while Camped
near McNoil, some were noticed as leaving
perfectly round Impressions in the ground
where'the heels struck.
The boot heel OF Cresswell makes a SIM
liar impression TO the track found near
McNeill--a perfect circle. II is supposed
chat Cresswell intended to prove an albi.
He told the officers the names of all who
were implicated with him, Hence the ar
rest of Cres5well and Jones. There arc
4hree more of the robbers still at large,
but 'ere this is read, they will probably be
under arrest. The prisoners in Meridian,
Boeque county will be brought here in a
day or two
This afternoon John Cresswell was
brought before Judge Barnes, acting
United States commissioner, for the pre-
liminary examination. He asked for a
continuance and was placed under $4,000
bond. which has not been made Cress-
veil Is very powerful man, over six
feet high, and stout. His face is
not prepossessing one. He has long
and sharp nose, with nostfils curving up
wards. The carthage Of the nose has been
broken and this has not improved his ap-
pearance, Cresswell mas been arrested
several times before on oherges of stage
robbery but has always proved an sLbl